A Short History of the Royal Navy, 1217 to 1688 by David Hannay

In A Short History of the Royal Navy, 1217 to 1688, historian David Hannay provides a concise yet comprehensive account of the foundational centuries of the British maritime forces. Covering the period from the early 13th century through the late 17th century, the narrative traces the evolution of the English fleet from rudimentary coastal defense to a structured naval power. Hannay examines the pivotal battles, administrative shifts, and technological developments that shaped England’s naval strategy during the Middle Ages and the Stuart era. The text offers readers historical insight into the transition from privateering and merchant-led efforts toward a professionalized state navy. This work serves as an essential reference for those interested in military history, maritime evolution, and the formation of British naval tradition before the rise of the 18th-century empire. #history #navy #maritime #britain #warfare #military #nonfiction